Makeup Advice: Fixing Last-Minute Mistakes

We've all made them-those terrifying last-minute makeup mistakes. Just as you're getting ready for an important date or a meeting that could lead to a promotion, your mascara clumps, your eyebrows are tweezed to the width of a fine-line marker running out of ink and your lipstick is a perfect shade of pink, only it's on your teeth. Applying makeup is usually a pretty straightforward routine. Five or ten minutes and you're out the door looking nothing less than fabulous. But, as Murphy's Law would have it, if you're trying to get your look just right for that big moment, something is bound to go wrong.

When those makeup mistakes threaten to drive you crazy, all you need are a few tricks in your bag to repair the damage and be on your way. Let's tackle each of these mistakes one at a time:

Eyeshadow Mistakes. The most common eyeshadow mistake is getting too much shadow on your lovely lids. One minute everything is going fine, then the next minute, you look like you just got punched in the eye by a nasty left hook. When your shadow is too dark, begin the repair by softening the color. Use a pale yellow powder or a beige shadow and cover the lids. Then apply a very light coat of the original color you used. This should soften the darkness of the shade and still allow you to wear the wonderful color you chose. Another trick you can try is adding just a smidgen of blush to soften up the color.

Mascara That Clumps. Another makeup mistake that every woman has had to contend with is mascara that clumps on your lashes. One of the best remedies for this mistake is prevention. When you apply your mascara, hold the applicator brush right at the base of your lashes and gently wiggle it back and forth as you pull it out toward the end of your lashes. Then, be sure to carry a clean lash comb in your makeup bag. If any clumping occurs during your day (or evening), you can quickly and easily comb through your lashes to remove them. For mascara smudges, use a cotton-tipped swab dipped in mascara remover, and whisk the smudges away.

Lipstick on Your Teeth. Ever felt the embarrassment of lipstick on your teeth? You can avoid this first-impression disaster with a simple trick. After your lips are plumped and perfect, just stick your index finger in your mouth and pull it out-any excess color or gloss on the inside of your lip line will come right off on your finger.

Smudged/Smeared Lipstick. To prevent your lip color from running or smearing, line your lips with liner that is similar to or one shade darker than your natural lip color. Then, fill your lips in with the liner before you apply lipstick or gloss. Your color and shine will last much longer. And here's another tip: To prevent your lipstick from coming off onto your glass, just discreetly lick the glass before you drink from it.

Overplucked or Thinning Eyebrows. If you find your eyebrows are disappearing, or if you accidentally overpluck, it can cause your face to look severe and much older than you would probably like. To fill in your brows, you can use a pencil that matches your brow color as closely as possible, and draw tiny little strokes to simulate your brow hair. You can also use a powder eyeshadow to fill in your brows. The trick here is to use a light color. Don't use anything darker than your natural brow color, or your fill-in will look too theatrical.

Smudged Eyeliner. If your eyeliner gets smeared, use a cotton swab dipped in some eye makeup remover or alcohol-free toner, and clean up the mess. Then take a skinny angled brush, wet it, and then dip it into some eyeshadow. Carefully apply the eyeshadow as close to the lash line as possible. Don't use a liner pencil after eye makeup remover. The combination of the oily remover and the waxy pencil will just create a bigger smear.

Last-Minute Pimples. If you have a pimple breakout the night before a special event, cover it with toothpaste before you go to bed to dry it out by morning. Cover the pimple with a touch of yellow concealer before applying your foundation, and no one will be any wiser. Another quick fix is to apply apple cider vinegar to balance your skin's pH and to apply yellow concealer with a lip brush to remove the remaining redness.

Tell-Tale Foundation Line at the Jaw. The best way to avoid that unfortunate foundation line at your jaw is to select the right shade and then blend downward with a clean sponge onto your neck. When choosing a foundation, test a few shades on your cheek, and then use a hand mirror and step out into the daylight to check for the correct color.

Most makeup disasters can be fixed fairly easily, as long as you take your time and don't rush. Keep these disaster prevention products in your makeup bag, and you can keep your perfectly made-up face looking fabulous all day and all night long.